An emotional farewell to Mexico’s Roy Rogers

Antonio Aguilar, the veteran Mexican showman who shuffled on stage for a farewell concert Sunday at the Pico Rivera Sports Arena, threw kisses, touched his heart and did a jaunty, side-to-side polka step for a few seconds much to the crowd’s delight. The move was modest but enough to prove that the old fun-loving flame still flickered in a man who had devoted his life to bring enjoyment on a grand scale to humble immigrant audiences.

Indeed, even though the 86-year-old performer and patriarch of a beloved entertainment family needed assistance to make his entrance to a rousing Sinaloa banda, he was showered with the adulation of fans who have enjoyed his countless albums and films for more than half a century.

Aguilar’s weekend appearance, scheduled to repeat on Labor Day, was billed as a tribute featuring his family -- wife and vocalist Flor Silvestre and their two sons, Pepe and Antonio Jr., part of the act since they were boys and now solo singers with successful careers of their own.

This is not the first local tribute to the aging actor, singer and horseman, who was feted at L.A.’s Fiesta Broadway earlier this year. But Pico Rivera’s open-air rodeo arena (with bleachers seating more than 5,000) provided the perfect setting to honor a performer who made the charro tradition of expert horsemanship part of the exciting traveling shows he brought to Southern California for 30 years.

After Aguilar took a seat with his grandchildren in a leather couch on the side of the stage, Antonio Jr. made a dramatic entrance atop a beautiful black horse. The younger Aguilar’s singing career has been overshadowed by his superstar sibling, but it’s hard to imagine anybody outdoing his dazzling horse tricks. He made his mount prance sideways and backward, high step to mariachi rhythms and keep time with two front hoofs, all the while singing as smoothly as he rides.

The dignified Silvestre later emerged on stage, resplendent in a colorful sequined folk dress. The enduring vitality and emotional power of her voice were impressive. But most touching were her heartfelt expressions of affection for her spouse and partner of a lifetime. They are the Roy Rogers and Dale Evans of Mexico, a couple who represents wholesome entertainment, clean country living and family togetherness.

Silvestre stepped to the couch and led her husband (who once studied for the priesthood) back to center stage for a nostalgic duet on romantic ranchera standards. They, like the songs, belong to an era of civility, respect and loyalty that is almost gone in Mexican show business, not to mention Mexican culture.

Those qualities were certainly not displayed by the venue’s ornery security guards, who apparently learned crowd-control techniques in a stable. They heavy-handedly squelched any sign of exuberance when Pepe Aguilar came down to the dirt rodeo ring during his closing segment.

The mostly docile audience didn’t seem to mind. Boorishness and metal railings couldn’t break their bonds with the Aguilar family, whom they love like their own.